(MOSCOW) – Vladimir Alekseyev, a high ranking general within the Russian military intelligence service known as the GRU, is reportedly in critical condition after an assassination attempt in the Russian capital. Alekseyev, who serves as a primary commander overseeing operations in Ukraine, was shot three times as he exited his apartment building. He is currently receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital.
The incident has highlighted significant vulnerabilities within the security apparatus of the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin. While the invincibility of Russian intelligence is often promoted by the Kremlin, this attack suggests a collapse in domestic security. Observers note that Alekseyev had numerous adversaries both internationally and within Russia, where internal friction between the GRU and the FSB, the civilian intelligence successor to the KGB, remains high.
Alekseyev is a central figure in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, specifically implicated in coordinating missile strikes against civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and educational facilities. He also played a pivotal role in the siege of Mariupol, where he reportedly gave false assurances to Ukrainian defenders at the Azovstal steelworks regarding their treatment under the Geneva Convention.
The general’s previous ties to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group have led to speculation regarding the motive behind the shooting. Alekseyev acted as a curator for private military companies and was seen on camera negotiating with Prigozhin during the 2023 mutiny. During those discussions, Alekseyev notably criticised the Russian military leadership, including Valery Gerasimov and Sergei Shoigu.
Analysts suggest that the Russian dictator may be conducting a purge of officials perceived as unreliable as the Russian economy faces a potential crisis by the summer of 2026. Alternatively, the operation may be the work of Ukrainian intelligence. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, recently disclosed sensitive health data regarding GRU officers, signaling a deep penetration of Russian systems.
The security breach is underscored by the fact that Alekseyev lived in a standard residential high rise where security cameras reportedly failed at the exact moment of the attack. In a separate incident, Sergei Gerasimov, a former deputy justice minister, was reported to have died by drowning in a bathtub, adding to a series of mysterious deaths among the Russian elite.
Current financial reports indicate that the cost of maintaining the Russian military remains a heavy burden on the state budget.
